MAJOR EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES The activities in these pages can help you to increase knowledge/awareness about yourself. These are activities that you can use, as you see fit, to assist you with your exploration of majors and careers. You do not have to complete all of these activities because not all activities work for every student. It is recommended that you complete the activities that you feel are relevant to you and discuss your results with your adviser. BEFORE YOU BEGIN THE PROCESS OF FINDING YOUR MAJOR, IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING: You are not choosing what you have to do for the rest of your life!!!! Generally, there isn t a 1-1 relationship between major and career. Many graduates have jobs that are NOT directly related to their major, which means you can major in just about anything, and in most cases, go into just about any career as a result. You can enhance your employability by getting career-related experience while in school. There is no perfect or right major just some that you ll be more satisfied with than others. Which also means that there is no wrong major either. Realize that there are likely five or six possible majors, from the numerous options available at PSU, with which you would be very satisfied. The aim is to find and choose one of those possible majors. There is no magical test that will tell you what you should choose. Yes, there are career tests you can take, and yes, they can be helpful in determining possible career options, but they won t provide all of the answers for you. Choosing a major is a COLLABORATIVE process and it takes time. You and your adviser will be involved in helping each other to make this process enjoyable, fun and educational for you. Your adviser looks forward to having a conversation with you. Please call 503 725 4005 to set up a meeting. Happy Exploration! Advising and Career Services, Portland State University www.pdx.edu/advising-career-services 1
Why am I undecided? Before you can choose a major, it is important to know the reasons you are undecided and just how undecided you are about a major, or even a career. Below are a few examples. Be honest about YOUR reasons for being undecided. List the reasons in the space provided. Here are just a few examples why some students claim to be undecided: I don t want to make the wrong choice. I don t know what information or options are out there I don t have an interest in any area of study. I have too many interests and can t narrow down your options. I am not ready to commit to a choice. I have a career chosen, but do not know which majors are best for that career. What are your reasons? What am I interested in? This activity is very simple and will assist you with putting some thoughts down on paper. Place a next to each of the items below that you feel best describe your preferences and interests. I prefer to be doing physical activities. I like to build things. I like to work on/with mechanical things. I like to work with my hands. I like to do clerical/office tasks. I like to work with detailed things. I like to see how things work. I like to create and make things. I like to come up with ideas. I would like to use my creativity. I would like to work with animals. I prefer to work with children. I like to investigate. I like to do research. I like being able to help others. I would prefer to travel. I prefer to be outdoors. I prefer to be in an office. I prefer to have a neat and orderly I prefer to have a set, planned out schedule. I prefer to do things my own way. I want to have defined, structured tasks. I like to be a follower, rather than a leader. I like to take risks. I like change. I prefer to be doing many different things. I want to be in a competitive working environment. I prefer to work closely with people. I want freedom and few rules. I prefer to be independent. I want to work in a very cooperative environment. I prefer leadership positions. I want to be in charge, or in control. I like working in groups. workplace. 2
I prefer working with just a small group of people. I would rather work by myself than with a group. I prefer to work closely with others. I prefer to start projects by myself. I enjoy explaining things to others. I am genuinely concerned for others. I like to come up with solutions to problems. I like the challenge of making money. I like to procrastinate. I like it when things get finished. I like to prepare things ahead of time. I am a perfectionist. I like communicating. I like writing. I enjoy debating issues. I like the medical sciences. I like math. I like science. Look at the items you have marked. Do you see some common themes in the items you ve marked? What are those? If your preferences are not on the list above, add them here. Why do you believe these are of interest to you? Can you give any examples of experiences you ve had that have influenced why you marked these items? Take a look at the items you have not marked. Can you think of the reasons why these are not of interest to you? Do the items you ve marked disagree with each other? What are those items? 3
What subjects do I enjoy? Take a moment to reflect upon those subjects that you have completed both in high school and in college up to this point. List the subjects/courses you really enjoyed taking in the left column. What was it about those courses that you enjoyed or liked? Subjects/Courses you enjoyed or found an interest in: Ability (1-10) Rate your abilities in those subjects from 1-10 (10 being the highest) in the right column above. Do you need to improve your skills and abilities to be successful in these courses? List below those subjects/courses in which you were bored, frustrated, confused, and/or did not like. What majors are on my list? Cross out those majors on the following list that you know you would never consider. Or, circle the ones in which you feel you have some level of interest. Or, do both. The point is to make the potential list of majors manageable. Are the majors you ve circled related/ different to one another? 4
College of Urban & Public Affairs Civic Leadership Community Development* Criminology and Criminal Justice* Health Studies Aging Services* Community Health Education* Health Sciences Physical Activity/Exercise School Health Law and Legal Studies Political Science* Real Estate Development Sustainable Urban Development The College of Arts Architecture* Art History* Art Practices Creative Industries Studies Drawing/Painting/Printmaking Graphic Design* Sculpture Dance Design Management Film Jazz Studies Music* Music: Composition* Music: Education* Music: History Music: Jazz* Music: Voice* Music Performance Theater Arts* School of Social Work Child and Family Studies Social Work Maseeh College of Engineering & Computer Science Biomedical Informatics Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Computer Science* Electrical Engineering* Environmental Engineering* Mechanical Engineering School of Business Administration Business Administration Accounting Accounting (Post-Bac Certificate) Advertising Management* Business Administration Finance Food Industry Management Human Resources Management International Business Studies Management and Leadership Marketing Real Estate Finance Supply and Logistics Management College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Anthropology* Applied Linguistics* Arts & Letters Biology* Biology: Botany Biology: Micro/Molecular Biology: Organismal Black Studies* Chemistry* Chemistry: Biochemistry Chicano/Latino Studies Classical Studies Communication Studies* Conflict Resolution Earth Science Economics* Elementary Education English* Environmental Geology Environmental Sciences Environmental Studies* Film Studies Advanced Proficiency in Russian Arabic* Chinese* French* German* Italian Japanese* Russian* Spanish* Turkish Geography* Graphical Information Systems Geology* History* History and Philosophy of Science International Economics International Studies* African Studies Canadian Studies East Asian Studies European Studies European Studies International Development Latin American Studies Middle Eastern Studies Judaic Studies* Liberal Studies Mathematics* Native American Studies Philosophy* Photography Physics* Physics: Biomedical Physics: Environmental Political Economy Psychology* Religious Studies Revitalizing Endangered Indigenous Languages Science Secondary Education Sexuality, Gender and Queer Studies Social Science Sociology* Space and Planetary Science Special Education Speech and Hearing Science Sustainability Teaching English as a Second Language Teaching Japanese as a Foreign Language Women s Studies* Writing 5
What skills do I have? Mark skills you are good at and rate your skill level on a scale of 1-5 (5 being highest) for each of the following abilities listed below. 5 Highly Skilled 4 Skilled 3 Intermediate inspiring trust and confidence motivating others guiding the activities of others working effectively with individuals and groups planning and organizing understanding emotional and educational needs of others communicating verbally maintaining order, resolving differences, anticipating and preventing problems gathering information presenting information in a manner that holds attention adapting and presenting information to different learning styles accurately assessing progress of individuals or programs communicating effectively in writing managing multiple tasks working alone solving problems identifying important issues integrating a variety of concepts being organized understanding how political and social contexts affect behavior attention to details self-motivated analyzing information and situations thinking critically designing taking initiative being patient being dependable 2 Low Skill 1 No Skill being understanding speaking effectively in front of groups creating policy advocating for others operating machinery investigating using space effectively making well-informed decisions being self-disciplined working under stressful conditions serving others interacting with people from different backgrounds building, making things leading others being reliable using diplomacy taking responsibility understanding physical needs of others assisting others in their growth/ development helping others through stressful times using time effectively effectively listening working with numbers using technology persuading others being inventive persevering being versatile and able to adapt dealing with conflict confronting others facilitating discussion creating or composing performing 6
debating with others selling ideas, goods, or services being flexible to change understanding all sides of an issue If you have skills that you feel you are good at and are not on the list above, be sure to list them and rate your ability. Review the list, what are your highest rated skills? Why do you feel these are highest? Which skills do you wish you could improve upon or learn? Why do you feel you should improve on these particular skills? What do I value? Using the scale below, rank the following statements: 5 Very High Importance 2 Very Low Importance 4 High Importance 1 No Importance 3 Some Importance Values that relate to your work environment Risk/Adventure: Your responsibilities at work often include taking chances Creativity: You have the chance to create or come up with new ideas Challenges: You will be faced with challenges, situations to resolve, and/or problems to solve High Paced: Your environment is highly active Autonomy: You have much independence in your position 7
Change: Being in an environment where change occurs often, or where you have to adapt to new circumstances Variety: Your responsibilities are varied, allowing for many different experiences Authority: Your job gives you the opportunity to be the person who makes decisions Competitive: You compete with others in your work environment Physical: Your responsibilities include tasks that require physical action Money-Making: You have the opportunity to make increasingly large amounts of money Leadership: Your responsibilities include supervising others in your environment Secure: There is a low likelihood of you losing your job Pressure: Your work environment includes many situations in which you are under pressure to perform job responsibilities well or on time Predictable: Your responsibilities are predictable and are not likely to change often Flexible: You control your schedule and work nonstandard hours according to your needs Values that relate to your personal interests Specialized: In your environment, you are considered an expert in your area Recognition/Value: You are appreciated, recognized and valued for your work Knowledge Seeking: Your job promotes or encourages the pursuit of knowledge and understanding Location: Your job is located in an environment that is comfortable Morality: Your work involves tasks that encourage moral standards important to you Community: Your job is located where you feel you can get connected and/or involved in the community Professional Growth: Your position has good opportunities to move up the career ladder Values that relate to the people in your environment Friendships/Relationships: In your environment, having strong friendships with your co-workers is important Helping: Your responsibilities include helping others Connection: You feel connected to the organization for which you work Control/Power: Your job gives you the chance to control others or their activities 8
Contact: Your environment encourages a lot of interaction with others Isolation: Your environment allows you to spend most of your time working alone Societal Importance: Your job impacts society in positive ways Next, take a moment to review your ratings, and list below those that are of most importance to you. Are there other values that were not included on this list? Write those down and rate them as well. It is important to consider values that are of great importance to you when choosing a major or a career. Action plan You ve reviewed interests, skills and values to consider when making a decision. Now, it s time to make an action plan. Be sure to work together with your adviser on this plan. Major(s) you wish to explore: Next steps Deadlines Other tasks to consider: 9
Notes: I have a follow-up appointment with my adviser on: OTHER STRATEGIES TO HELP YOU CHOOSE A MAJOR Meet often with your adviser: ACS Advisers are available to meet with you as often as you like to help you choose a major or career. We are open for drop-in every day. You can call 503-725-4005 or walk-in to schedule an appointment. Take an exploratory course for the majors you are considering: PSU has exploratory courses for many programs. Here is the list of these courses. Investigate the majors that interest you: Look at the courses that are required for the program. Are you excited about them? Do you think they will help you in your life and in your career? Take a career exploration class: UNST 195 Career Exploration is a 1credit hour course designed to help students choose majors and careers. You will be spending time anyway trying to make these decisions why not receive college credit for it too? Choose your University Studies courses carefully: Your ACS Adviser can help you select courses that will help you learn about majors and also fill core requirements. Explore ACS online resources: Helpful information about What Can You Do With a Degree in is available to all PSU students. Keep your options open: If you are trying to decide between two majors, select courses that are required for both. Turn one of your options into a minor: When trying to choose between majors, take courses that will fill major and minor requirements for both. Then when you decide which of the two you want to be your major, your other choice can easily be turned into a minor. Find out requirements for majors that are selective and have additional applications and deadlines: Some majors have limited enrollment and only accept a certain number of students each year. Find out what these requirements are for the majors that interest you. Take the prerequisite courses and do well in them, so if you decide to apply, you will be prepared. Have a back-up plan: When applying to programs that have additional application requirements to get in, prepare a back-up plan. There are often many ways to achieve your goals. ACS staff can help you. Work with a plan literally! : Part-time work, summer employment, internships, and volunteer work should all be done with a plan. Use these opportunities to investigate areas of interest and to make contacts that will help further your career goals. Visit the Advising and Career Services (ACS): ACS has a lot of books on careers. Want to learn how to be an FBI agent? ACS has information to help you! We offer numerous workshops throughout the year. Attend a career decision-making workshop: ACS has workshops to help you choose majors and careers. There is a small fee. After you complete the assessment, your results will be explained to you by ACS staff. 10
Job shadow: Thinking about a career but don t know if you would like it? Try job shadowing. Find someone who has the kind of job you want, and then ask if you can follow them around for a day or longer. Put yourself in his or her place. Do you like what you see? Informational interviewing: Find someone who is already working in the profession you are considering and ask them for an interview. Here you can find a few questions to ask during an informational interview. Pre-professional advising: Interested in pre-med, pre-dental, or health profession? Visit with an adviser in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Call 503-725-3822. For pre-law advising, email Tim Garrison at brtg@pdx.edu Adopted from Brigham Young University, Majors consideration and strategies 11